THE LOCAL

PROPERTY PAPER

FROM

whathouse.com

Nice as pieThe perfect Bake Off kitchen, P29

EDITIO

N A

UG

UST 21 2015

ith average fi rst-time buyer deposits soaring to over 30% of the property value,

affordable house purchase schemes have rocketed in popularity. For example Help to Buy has helped over 88,000 buyers, and over 40,000 people have taken advantage of alternative housing solutions, such as shared ownership.

The G15, a collaboration of London’s largest housing associations, including Genesis, collectively manages over 410,000 affordable homes and build 10,000 more annually, illustrating how popular these options are becoming. Shared ownership in particular has both short-term and long-term benefi ts for those who want to get on the property ladder but are struggling to raise a deposit or secure a traditional mortgage.

How does shared ownership work?

Providing you meet the criteria (see P32), shared ownership schemes are a great way to get onto the property ladder and you may fi nd you can buy a bigger home than you would otherwise have been able to afford, especially with the opportunity of staircasing.

When you fi rst buy a new home through shared ownership, you purchase a share of the property, typically between 25-75%, paying rent

on the remaining share to the housing association, who then in effect become your landlord. As and when you’re able to afford it, you can take steps to buy additional shares until you own 100% of your home. This is known as staircasing.

Do all housing associations offer staircasing?

Most housing associations will allow their tenants to staircase up to three times, until you reach100% ownership. As well as owning more of your home, staircasing also means the amount of rent you pay decreases, so it can help free up more of your disposable income. As the rent is affordable from the start, it should make it easier to save money towards further staircasing.

Will staircasing cost me?

Purchasing further shares works much like a typical house purchase, with valuations required for each ‘step’, and you will of course need to pay the legal fees, and any mortgage fees, if applicable, too. On the plus side, you’ll not need to pay any Stamp Duty on staircasing up to 80% ownership if the value is less than £125,000.

How you fund the purchase of additional shares is up to you, although typically this is done through a mortgage lender – most building societies and high street banks offer

these types of mortgages. Some providers will allow you to borrow up to 95%, meaning you only need a 5% deposit to secure the next slice of ownership. Speak to an independent mortgage advisor to fi nd out what options you have.

As an outright owner, although you no longer need to pay any rent on the property, it is worth noting as leaseholder of an apartment, you’re still required to pay management charges, such as ground rent, as the housing association will remain the freeholders of the land. If you’ve bought a house, the freehold can be transferred to you upon reaching 100% ownership.

What would I need to do when I come to sell my shared ownership home?When you want to sell the property, you can sell the share you own through your housing association, or if you’ve staircased up to 100%, you can sell it in on the open market, through an estate agent of your choice. When you sell your home, the greater percentage you own, the more profi t you will make if the value of your home has increased, so there’s a benefi t to staircasing in getting more equity back when you sell up.

Find out more at www.genesisha.org.uk; 033 3000 4000

Stepping upTony Harker of Genesis explains how shared ownership can be the perfect platform to become a fully-fl edged owner-occupier

housing associations 35For the latest on the property market @What_House

W

peabodysales.co.uk

London has been our home for over 150 years.

Make it yours.

St John’s Way SW11A new way of life is emerging in the heart of Battersea

1, 2 & 3 bed apartments and 3 & 4 bed triplexesPrices coming soon

Call to register: 020 3369 8728

COMING SOON

ith average fi rst-time buyer deposits soaring to over 30% of the property value,

affordable house purchase schemes have rocketed in popularity. For example Help to Buy has helped over 88,000 buyers, and over 40,000 people have taken advantage of alternative housing solutions, such as shared ownership.

The G15, a collaboration of London’s largest housing associations, including Genesis, collectively manages over 410,000 affordable homes and build 10,000 more annually, illustrating how popular these options are becoming. Shared ownership in particular has both short-term and long-term benefi ts for those who want to get on the property ladder but are struggling to raise a deposit or secure a traditional mortgage.

How does shared ownership work?

Providing you meet the criteria (see P32), shared ownership schemes are a great way to get onto the property ladder and you may fi nd you can buy a bigger home than you would otherwise have been able to afford, especially with the opportunity of staircasing.

When you fi rst buy a new home through shared ownership, you purchase a share of the property, typically between 25-75%, paying rent

on the remaining share to the housing association, who then in effect become your landlord. As and when you’re able to afford it, you can take steps to buy additional shares until you own 100% of your home. This is known as staircasing.

Do all housing associations offer staircasing?

Most housing associations will allow their tenants to staircase up to three times, until you reach100% ownership. As well as owning more of your home, staircasing also means the amount of rent you pay decreases, so it can help free up more of your disposable income. As the rent is affordable from the start, it should make it easier to save money towards further staircasing.

Will staircasing cost me?

Purchasing further shares works much like a typical house purchase, with valuations required for each ‘step’, and you will of course need to pay the legal fees, and any mortgage fees, if applicable, too. On the plus side, you’ll not need to pay any Stamp Duty on staircasing up to 80% ownership if the value is less than £125,000.

How you fund the purchase of additional shares is up to you, although typically this is done through a mortgage lender – most building societies and high street banks offer

these types of mortgages. Some providers will allow you to borrow up to 95%, meaning you only need a 5% deposit to secure the next slice of ownership. Speak to an independent mortgage advisor to fi nd out what options you have.

As an outright owner, although you no longer need to pay any rent on the property, it is worth noting as leaseholder of an apartment, you’re still required to pay management charges, such as ground rent, as the housing association will remain the freeholders of the land. If you’ve bought a house, the freehold can be transferred to you upon reaching 100% ownership.

What would I need to do when I come to sell my shared ownership home?When you want to sell the property, you can sell the share you own through your housing association, or if you’ve staircased up to 100%, you can sell it in on the open market, through an estate agent of your choice. When you sell your home, the greater percentage you own, the more profi t you will make if the value of your home has increased, so there’s a benefi t to staircasing in getting more equity back when you sell up.

Find out more at www.genesisha.org.uk; 033 3000 4000

Stepping upTony Harker of Genesis explains how shared ownership can be the perfect platform to become a fully-fl edged owner-occupier

housing associations 35For the latest on the property market @What_House

W

peabodysales.co.uk

London has been our home for over 150 years.

Make it yours.

St John’s Way SW11A new way of life is emerging in the heart of Battersea

1, 2 & 3 bed apartments and 3 & 4 bed triplexesPrices coming soon

Call to register: 020 3369 8728

COMING SOON

www.belvoirlettings.com email: basildon@belvoirlettings.com Tel: 01268 411110 / 01702 334466 / 01708 730077 BelvoirBasildon BelvoirBasildon

WITH OUR AWARD WINNING LETTINGS SERVICE WE HELP THOUSANDS OF LANDLORDS LET THEIR

PROPERTIES SUCCESSFULLY EVERY YEAR

• Be given the best advice - no one knows more about your local property market than Belvoir!

• Be hot property - no one finds you more reliable tenants than Belvoir!

• Be a Belvoir Landlord - no one has happier landlords than Belvoir!

With 16 years of lettings industry experience, and five years working for Belvoir, 30-year old Keeley

Taylor was the perfect candidate to take over as franchisee of the Belvoir Lettings Franchise in Basildon. She is now director of Belvoir Basildon which covers the territories of Basildon, Romford and Southend-on-Sea.

Her loyalty to the Belvoir brand and love for all things lettings meant that she elected to take over the business when the franchise became available.

“It really felt like the right step for me when I was offered the chance to become the Franchisee,” she explains, “having worked at the office in Basildon since 2006 (primarily when it was known as ‘Let it Be and then as part of Belvoir when it was bought out by them in 2010). The company initially started nine years ago and it was just the director and me at that time. We had no properties and strived to create and grow a client-base. Since then the business has grown tremendously.”

Keeley’s contacts have held her in good stead. “I’ve worked at the office for so long so I have some great relationships with the existing

landlords and tenants and it’s fabulous to be able to build the business and guide it in a new direction.”

Keeley is just one of many new franchise owners for Belvoir who have been a successful lettings agency with an award winning service for nearly two decades.

Offices across the UK such as the one Keeley runs in Basildon, are individually owned by local people, which the company believe ensures the best combination of knowledge and marketing effectiveness, such as the franchisee’s familiarity with the local schools and facilities; knowing the better areas to live in and why some houses are more attractive to locals whilst others will attract newcomers to an area.

“I always felt strongly supported by the staff and the management at Belvoir’s Central Office and have good relationships with them, so the decision to become a franchisee once the possibility arose was an easy one,” Keeley says. “I couldn’t wait to be part of a network. I would recommend anyone looking into a Lettings Franchisee role to contact Belvoir’s head office in Grantham, they’ve been fantastic.”

Keeley adds: “I am very enthusiastc about growing Belvoir Basildon and its future.”

Moving house needn’t be a nightmare - just make your move with Belvoir. Made in Essex speak to Belvoir Basildon’s new Franchisee and director Keeley Taylor

Dream move

SO YOU WANT A HOME WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 21

So you want a home...that costs around £750,000

1 One of the Bois

Set back from the road, this classic mock-

Tudor, semi-detached family home features

an open-plan sitting room and dining area

with mood LED lighting, swish kitchen/

breakfast room with granite work surfaces,

breakfast bar and adjoining utility room to

the ground floor. Upstairs there are four

double bedrooms and a family bathroom. To

the rear of the property there is a landscaped

garden with terrace, raised water feature

and summer house, while to the front there

is parking for up to three cars. Coppice

Row is ideally located for the amenities of

Theydon Bois, and is approximately half-

a-mile from Theydon Bois Underground

station on the Central Line with trains to

Liverpool Street in just over half an hour.

PRICE: £750,000

Selling agent: Hetheringtons

01992 815314

2 Never mind the paddocks

Polstead Farm, Bures oozes charm and

period features, a striking four-bedroom

detached Grade II listed farmhouse which

enjoys an idyllic setting within the Stour

Valley on the north Essex borders. With

its exposed timbers, inglenook fireplaces

and leaded windows, the property has been

beautifully modernised to provide a gracious

family home. There are three reception

rooms with the open, dual-aspect kitchen/

breakfast room being of particular note, with

its terracotta tiled flooring throughout and

feature wattle-and-daub exposed timberwork.

On the first floor, the master bedroom has a

triple-aspect and en suite bathroom. There

are three other double bedrooms and a

family bathroom.

Outside, there is parking for several cars,

a car port and detached barn, utility room

and workshop. Equestrian facilities include

six stables and a tack room. The gardens

and paddocks extend to around 5.68 acres.

Nearby Bures station has rush trains to

London Liverpool Street in around 1 hour

and 15 minutes changing at Marks Tey.

PRICE: £750,000

Selling agent: David Burr

01206 263007

3 Staying the course

King Harold’s Cottage is found to the

southwest corner of Nazeing’s historic

Common in an area of considerable rural

appeal, enjoying beautiful views to the

rear over the adjoining golf course. The

chocolate-box cottage is said to date from

the 17th century, providing beautifully

presented accommodation which retains

much of its original character and period

charm. The cottage-style kitchen has an

adjoining utility room, while the sitting

room leads to a raised dining room and

the snug opens onto the living room. A

conservatory opens on to the garden with

far-reaching views to the Nazeing Park

House estate. There are three bedrooms on

the first floor with an en suite to the master,

as well as a family bathroom.

The well-established gardens extend to

around a quarter-of-an-acre, with various

outbuildings including a garage, stable and

spacious store room. The cottage is around

three miles from Broxbourne’s mainline

station (London Liverpool Street and

Tottenham Hale for connections to London

underground) and about five miles from the

M25 Junction 26 at Waltham Abbey.

PRICE £730,000

Selling agent: Hetheringtons

01992 440000

Managing director: Daniel HillEditorial director: Rupert BatesEditor: Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.comAssistant editor: Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.comDesigner: Peter Rogers peter@39zero.co.ukContributors: Fiona Brandhorst, Nick ParkhouseSales director: Adrian Talbot at@globespanmedia.comSales manager: Murad Paloda mp@whathouse.comProperty supplement published by: What House Digital Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG; 020 7940 1070 info@globespanmedia.com www.whathouse.comPrinted by 39zero© 2015 What House Digital Limited

THE LOCAL

PROPERTY PAPER

FROM

whathouse.com

Nice as pieThe perfect Bake Off kitchen, P29

EDITIO

N A

UG

UST 21 2015

Cover picture: Aythorpe Grange in Aythorpe Roding from Crest Nicholson, from £885,000 01279 216907

What House? @What_House

Fiona Brandhorst finds three fabulous homes with a price tag of around £750,000

13

2

...Buying a new home is a big decision, so you’ll want to know that your property is of good quality and your investment well protected.

Only builders approved and registered by NHBC can offer Buildmark, and they must build to the detailed technical standards we have

been developing and updating for more than 75 years.

It will give you peace of mind to know that all new homes with NHBC’s Buildmark have been independently inspected at key stages

during construction, and come with 10 years’ warranty and insurance.

This gives you the reassurance that, on the rare occasion when something does go wrong, we’re here to help you.

So, before you buy a new home, make sure it has Buildmark.

NHBC – the mark of a quality home

H82 02/14

Talk to us... Call us now on 0844 633 1000 and ask for ‘Customer Services’. Or visit www.nhbc.co.uk/myhome

H82_What House? advert_v1.indd 1 19/02/2014 12:15

NEW HOMES WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 23

CALA Homes,

awarded a Silver

for Best Medium

Housebuilder

at last year’s

WhatHouse?

Awards, has a

national reputation

for building

executive homes

of quality. With

Astwood Gate, it has taken a superb location

off Herbert Road in Emerson Park and

created a cul-de-sac of just three detached,

five-bedroom properties.

The last for sale is Plot 2, ‘Montagu House’,

a three-storey home with a triple garage. It is

priced at £1.75million, with a special offer to

the buyer pay their stamp duty paid, or accept

their current home in a part exchange deal.

Regional sales manager Michelle Relton

says: “This final home has the build quality

and attention to detail you would expect from

a CALA home, as well as luxury features

including a sumptuous master bedroom

suite with an adjoining dressing room and

contemporary en suite – ideal at the end of

a busy day. There is also a spacious games

room on the second floor – perfect for teenage

children to make their own.”

Accommodation stretches to over 4,200

sq ft, so it gives the busy family plenty of

privacy as well as some spacious rooms to

enjoy together. It’s a great party home too,

with an impressive kitchen/breakfast family

room that opens out onto the patio, and a

variety of reception rooms for entertaining.

With quartz worktops in the kitchen

and utility room, an range of integrated

appliances including a dishwasher, coffee

machine and two fridge-freezers, and a tap

providing instant running steaming hot and

filtered cold water, the kitchen is brilliantly

and stylishly equipped.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a

luxuriously appointed oasis, with a dressing

room and an en suite with twin basins,

separate shower and bath - and a recessed TV

for the bath! There’s also a family bathroom

on this floor, though two of the other three

bedrooms each have an en suite shower room

too. On the second floor is another en suite

bedroom, a study, shower room and large

games room.

The development is one mile from

Hornchurch town centre and within easy

reach of Upminster and Romford. Lakeside

and Bluewater shopping centres are just 11

and 16 miles away respectively.

Commuters will appreciate the excellent

transport links, with Emerson Park station

12 minutes’ walk away, with connections to

the Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street

lines, and the M25 is just five miles away.

There are a number of excellent schools

nearby including Ardleigh Green Junior

School, Emerson Park Secondary School

(co-educational) and Campion School (for

boys), as well as Goodrington and Raphael

independent schools.

Viewings of this home are available by

appointment only.

Find out more at www.cala.co.uk;

01708 473500

A major third

www.inlandhomes.co.uk

The Comptons, Wooburn GreenCharterhouse Mews, Chelmsford Vista, Drayton Garden Village St John’s, Chelmsford

Carter’s Quay, Poole

Showhome open at this development Please check website for current availability. Computer generated illustrations are indicative only and subject to change.

For further details call 01494 762 450 or email sales@inlandhomes.co.uk

Inland Homes are currently regenerating areas acrossthe South providing quality homes with an emphasison design and sustainability. Visit our fabulous rangeof Showhomes to discover more.

DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE:

Carter’s Quay, Poole1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

Vista, Drayton Garden Village,West Drayton2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

St John’s, Chelmsford2 & 4 bedroom houses

Charterhouse Mews,Chelmsford1& 2 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom houses

COMING SOON:The Comptons, Wooburn Green1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom houses

Alexandra Gardens, Iver2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses

Park House, LoudwaterStudio & 1 bedroom apartments

Creating newcommunitiesacross the South

Last Chance to Buy in Century TowerEssex Riverside, Chelmsford CM2 OFQ

have quickly snapped up the 62 stunning apartments with only three apartments left with one month to official handover.

The John Lewis furnished Show Apartment with touches of London scenes, has enticed commuters keen for a more tranquil lifestyle with the business district of the City in easy reach.

Local artwork kindly donated from Chelmer Fine Art, Chelmsford takes the spotlight on the Show Apartment walls with the River Thames and cultural snapshots.

In addition to the many benefits of living in Century Tower, with Virgin Active next door and a free one week

membership for every purchaser, you have your new lifestyle at your fingertips.

Prices from £285,500 for a two bedroom with balcony, with high gloss kitchen and porcelanosa tiles.

For more information and to book a viewing contact la@midcity.co.uk

A flurry of discerning purchasers

26 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM PROPERTIES CLOSE TO V

GARDEN FESTIVAL

Set in the highly sought-after, picturesque village of Writtle,

within a private gated development of just two properties,

is this impressive five-bedroom detached family home. The

property was designed and built by Cromwell Homes and

has been upgraded to an exceptionally high standard and

backs onto open fields. Features include a striking hallway,

spacious lounge, luxury kitchen/diner, three luxury en

suites and a family bathroom. Outside there is a double

garage and huge rear garden with fantastic views over open

farmland.

Trains services to London Liverpool Street take 35 minutes

from Chelmsford which is just 2.5 miles from Writtle. Buses

run every 30 minutes to the station from the village.

Price: £1.175million

Selling agent: Beresfords 01245 807302

LIGHT FANTASTIC

Immaculately presented, this four-bedroom detached family

home is on a secluded corner plot in a sought-after cul-de-sac

location. The property offers a contemporary kitchen-diner

featuring touchscreen underfloor heating and a handy wine

chiller. There is a spacious lounge with French doors to the

garden and a utility room to the ground floor. Upstairs there

are four bedrooms, with an en suite to master bedroom, and

a family bathroom with tiled flooring inset with LED lights.

To the front of the house, the block-paved drive provides

ample parking and a double garage. The side garden

features a koi pond with raised decking and patio area

leading to a lawn and summer house. A beautiful area for

entertaining is to the rear comprising a patio with hot tub

and pergola with mature wisteria and grape wines.

There is easy access to the A12 and Chelmsford where

trains to London take 35 minutes.

Price: £580,000

Selling agent: William H Brown 01245 262266

BUILT FOR SOUND

Ideal for budding rock stars, this five double-bedroom family

home comes with a built-in studio space to the ground floor.

Occupying a private mews position, near to Galleywood

Common nature reserve, the well-planned accommodation

is arranged over two floors comprising three reception

rooms, studio, study, kitchen/breakfast room and utility

room. To the first floor there is the family bathroom and

five-bedrooms with and en suite to the master bedroom.

Externally there is a wide frontage, private drive leading to

an integral double garage with both side and rear gardens.

The property is located approximately three miles south of

Chelmsford within the school catchment area for Beehive

Lane Community Primary School and Great Baddow High

School.

Price: £600,000

Selling agent: Fenn Wright 01245 292100

BARN TO DANCE

Thought to date back to the 1930s, this traditional family

home has been improved and extended over recent years.

Positioned in idyllic grounds of around two acres, the

property offers five spacious bedrooms, four generous

receptions, an orangery, a detached double garage with

games room above and a further detached studio/annex.

The property will appeal to horse lovers as it also includes

excellent equestrian facilities which can be accessed from a

separate entrance to the west of the plot and could therefore

be used as livery if preferred. A detached three-bay stable

block and tack room along with a hay barn and further

storage barn are all located adjacent to the post and rail

paddock. A further three acres of premium pasture land can

be rented if required. Chelmsford mainline train station is a

nine-minute drive away.

Price: £1.45million

Selling agent: Beresfords 01245 807265

V will rock you!Get into the groove with this great line-up of homes close to this weekend’s V Festival in Hylands Park, says Fiona Brandhorst

Specification includes: A range of contemporary and traditional kitchens Stoves Richmond 900EI Stainless Steel Range Cooker* Stainless Steel Cooker Hood Integrated Neff appliances Integrated Prima wine cooler Utility rooms (not applicable to plot 3) come with either a washer/dryer

or washing machine and tumble dryer Bathroom and En-Suites have contemporary bathrooms with Ideal

Standard Sanitaryware and are fully tiled with Porcelanosa tiles

Floors are finished with Porcelanosa floor tiles to Kitchen, Utility, Bathroom, En-suite, Cloakrooms and Carpets to all other areas*

Oak panelled internal doors with pewter finished door handles Built in wardrobes to most bedrooms – please refer to sales layouts –

with oak panelled doors and pewter finished door handles Air Source Heating, offering reduced running costs, with under floor heating

to all ground floor areas and radiators to upper floor rooms with 5 year service and warranty package.

Eight unique Grade II listed 2, 3 and 4 bedroom barns converted to a high specification, retaining many original features.All properties have private gardens with plots 1, 2 and 8 having the added benefit of a paddock.‘The Barns’ Merton Grange is situated in an idyllic rural location on the edge of Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire. The approach is via a private drive with far reaching views either side across fields.

Tel : 01923 251799Email: sales@leavalleyhomes.co.uk

www.leavalleyhomes.co.uk

*Where possible we will be able to offer buyers variations and choices on the internal finishes, although the availability of this will depend upon the stage of construction that each property has reached when a reservation is made. For full specification details please see the brochure.

ShowhomEopEn

wEEkEndS onlyfrom

march 7th-29th between

11am-3pm

prices from £610,000

Since its inception nearly 100 years

ago, the Marconi works have been

synonymous with our county town and

one of its most widely known icons.

Now, the site is being transformed by

developer Bellway, which is building a

collection of contemporary apartments

and houses there. Named Marconi

Evolution as a salute to the world’s

fi rst wireless factory, the development will also feature

landscaped public spaces, cycleways and gardens for the

enjoyment of all residents.

Already, the development has proved popular with both

owner-occupiers and investors. Its central location seems

perfect for a diverse range of would-be residents: it’s

within an easy walk of everything from the station and

shopping centre to two grammar schools and Anglia Ruskin

University business school, so there’s immediate appeal to

commuters, families, students and even downsizers.

Local agent Balgores Property Group’s research has found

property price appreciation at around 19% in Chelmsford

over the past year and rents rising 4-5%, so the attraction

for buy-to-let investors is also clear.

Divisional sales manager for Bellway Homes Essex,

Gemma Bannister, says: “The extensive development and the

Crossrail effect too is having an impact and boosting house

prices in the area. Investors are also jumping in quickly as

they see rental values are more affordable for renters than in

central London yet the returns are potentially greater.”

Prices at Marconi Evolution currently start from £196,995

for a one-bedroom apartment. For that, expect an open-

plan kitchen/living/dining area and modern fi tted kitchen

units, integrated appliances, gas central heating, built-

in wardrobes and en suite shower rooms to the master

suites, and white sanitaryware and chrome fi ttings to the

bathrooms and en suites.

The sales and marketing suite at Marconi Evolution is

open daily from 10.00am to 5.30pm, with late night opening

on Tuesday and Thursdays until 7.00pm.

Find out more at www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/

marconi-evolution; 01245 269208

28 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES

Electric dreamsNew homes are transforming part of an historic site and a Chelmsford icon

Prices at Bellway’s Marconi Evolution start at £196,995

A photo from the factory’s yard

Now on Sale:an exciting range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homesin Brierley Hill. Choose from 10 different designs!

Artisan’s Walk is a whole new community, perfectly placed almostequidistant from Wolverhampton and Birmingham, just off BrettellLane, with views towards the Clent Hills.

Beautifully built to an exacting specification using energy savingtechnology, all the homes at Artisan’s Walk will be economic to run.The careful design and well thought out interiors will make thempractical and comfortable to live in too.

Ask about our launch incentives

Showhome open daily 10.00am - 5.30pmArtisan’s Walk, off Delph Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 2RPCall: 0845 873 2887 or visit: www.lioncourthomes.co.uk

Help to Buy

2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homesfrom £155,000

Right up your street?Properties situated on “Lanes” are worth

over £100,000 more than those on a ‘Street’

according to new research by Barclays

Mortgages. The data, generated by findings

provided by property specialists Hometrack,

shows that the first line of your address

really can say something about the value of

your home.

Homes on “Lanes” come in with a

resounding victory at an average property

value of £245,906 (22% higher than the

national average), homes on “Streets”

come towards the bottom of the list, with

properties averaging £142,374 (29% under

the national average – and a whole 42% lower

than “Lanes”) across the UK.

Just behind “Lanes” are the “Ways” and

“Roads”, with average values of £218,742

and £212,717, followed by “Closes” and

“Avenues” at £204,964 and £192,344.

Regionally, the biggest divide between

street name prices occurs in the South East

where properties on “Lanes” are an average

of £137,145 more expensive than those on

“Streets”. In the East of England, which also

includes parts of Essex, “Ways” are the most

expensive at £309,415 followed by “Drives” at

£246,517. Which just goes to prove that the

only “way” really is Essex!

Go east and commuteLondoners spend over a year of their lives

on the Tube, suggests a new survey from

OnePoll and The WatchHut, which also

reveals that commuters from the east of the

capital have the second shortest commute at

27 minutes beaten only by commuters from

the south at 24 minutes. The poll also showed

that 64% of Londoners use the Tube to get to

work; over a lifetime, Londoners will spend

a whopping 417 days travelling to and from

work. Other data from the Greater London

Authority shows that Liverpool Street and

Stratford were the 6th and 7th busiest

tube stations in 2014 with 73.6million and

59.3million passengers, up 14% and 49%

respectively. However, the quietest station

was positively peaceful Roding Valley in

Zone 4 on the Central Line which had only

260,000 people pass through it during 2014.

And breathe.

Happy in HaveringRightmove’s Happy At Home Index for 2015

has placed Havering as the fifth happiest

place to live in the UK. Nearly 25,000 people

were asked to rank 12 distinct factors about

where they live including safety, contentment

and décor with Havering voted in as the

fifth happiest London borough out of 33.

People were also asked to rate the following

statement: “Generally, the people who live in

my area are friendly and polite”. Havering

came in third place in London behind the

City of London and Richmond upon Thames.

SECRET ESSEX

SECRET ESSEX WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 29 HERITAGE HOME WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 33

True to a rock-star lifestyle, this historic

property, owned since the 1980s by

Steve Harris, the bassist of Iron Maiden,

offers a fantastic variety of facilities

for entertaining on a grand scale –

including its own pub!

As well as a bespoke indoor heated

swimming pool with unique hand-

painted tiles and wall murals, there’s

a split-level galleried recording studio, cinema room

and private and fully equipped pub, The Horse and Cart,

complete with ale on tap! In the grounds you’ll find a flood-

lit tennis court and football pitch.

Sheering Hall is an eight-bedroom medieval country house

of around 11,000 sq ft full of character and period features.

It’s Grade II listed: there has been a house on the site since

the Domesday Book and parts of the house date back to

1427.

Surrounding the entrance hall with its exposed beams

and open fireplace are the three main reception rooms. The

sitting room and drawing room both have fine detail and

character with floor-to-ceiling, oak-panelled walls and high

ceilings with ornate cornicing. The drawing room boasts

a grand wooden carved fireplace with wood burner. The

kitchen benefits from a four-oven Aga and raised breakfast

area, and from the kitchen there is access to the playroom,

boot room and utility area.

From the entrance hall, the main wood-panelled staircase

leads up to the first floor to the principal bedroom, dressing

room and en suite bathroom. There are seven further

bedrooms, a family bathroom and three shower rooms as

well as staff accommodation. Additionally there is a separate

three-bedroom coach house,

extensive garaging and workshop.

Sheering Hall is in a highly

sought-after area and occupies

a secluded and rural position,

approximately 35 miles from

London and 11.6 miles from

Stansted Airport. Nearby

Sawbridgeworth station has

direct trains to London Liverpool

Street taking 41 minutes. Bishop’s

Stortford is six miles away,

Hertford 13 miles and Cambridge

39 miles.

The area offers a wide selection

of state and private schools

including St Nicholas School,

Felsted School, Haileybury College,

Bishops Stortford College and

Heath Mount Prep School. There are also a number of good

golf courses within driving distance, including the Royal

Worlington and Hanbury Manor.

Sheering Hall has a guide price of £3.95million through

Hamptons International, www.hamptons.co.uk;

01483 572864

Rock legend Steve Harris of Iron Maiden calls time on his Essex mansion, Sheering Hall

Maiden over38 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES

COVER STORY: use this Molly Mutt dog bed duvet to cover an old dog bed or fill it with redundant pillows to make a smart new bed for your pooch, £16.99, www.easyanimal.co.uk

King’sTime is running out to buy a high-quality new Redrow home in Lexden

Since its offi cial launch in

January, sales have been brisk

at Redrow’s King’s Park, a

development of 31 homes in

the village of Lexden, just west

of Colchester. Now, just seven

homes remain for sale – fi ve houses and two

apartments – so opportunities to buy a peach

of a home at the site are now limited.

With prices ranging from £278,995 to

£674,995, there’s plenty of variety, however,

which is bound to interest a diverse range of

buyers, says Kerry Jenkins, sales director

for Redrow Homes (Eastern).

“King’s Park continues to attract a good

mix of purchasers ranging from fi rst-time

buyers to growing families, downsizers and

everything in between,” she says. “They

all recognise that the development offers a

winning combination of high-specifi cation

homes in a sought-after village location with

good local amenities and strong commuter

links. These factors have helped make King’s

Park a success and now that availability

is limited we’re encouraging would-be

homeowners to contact us without delay.”

With everything from a two-bedroom

apartment to three- and four-bedroom

homes available, there are also two crucial

assistance schemes on offer from Redrow.

The Help to Buy scheme is open to all

buyers on properties under £600,000,

offering the chance to buy with a 5% deposit

thanks to a government-backed equity loan

of 20% of the property price. This means

a lower initial payment and then lower

monthly mortgage payments, as the loan is

interest-free for fi ve years.

For homeowners struggling to sell their

existing property – or simply wanting

to avoid the hassle of selling on the open

market – a part exchange might be the

answer. With this, the housebuilder makes

on offer based on an independent valuation,

which if accepted, eliminates a buying chain

and allows you to stay in your old home

until your new one is ready. Alternatively,

Redrow’s Mastermove option means they’ll

work with local agents to fi nd a buyer for you

– and pay their fees, so you won’t have to.

“Whether you’re an aspiring fi rst time

buyer or a homeowner looking to move up

the property ladder we can help make your

dream move a reality,” adds Jenkins.

The show homes and sales offi ce at King’s

Park are open from 10.00am to 5.30pm,

Thursday to Monday.

Find out more at http://whathou.se/NoUIhJ

01206 430241

peach

30 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM HERITAGE HOME

One of the UK’s top conservation

architects is selling his

magnificent, partly moated

former hall house, set in a

mature seven-acre setting in

Halstead. Once owned by the

Fry chocolate family, the Grade II listed

property was bought by the parents of the

current owner Roderick Shelton in 1970

when he was an architectural student.

Stambourne Hall is believed to have been

built around 1348, although the original

manor house existed before 1088. The

stunning home offers two-storey living

accommodation with an extensive range of

refurbished outbuildings including a huge

45ft thatched barn with a staircase to the

first floor – ideal for parties or events subject

to planning.

The house itself has an impressive

reception hall with shelved drinks cupboard

and open fireplace, three further spacious

reception rooms to the ground floor as

well as a contemporary Gaggenau kitchen

breakfast room and original scullery. On

the first floor there is a master bedroom

suite and four further bedrooms each with

original exposed timbers and views across

the gardens. The outbuildings include a

two-hole “thunderbox” or outside toilet, a

Victorian thatched rotating summerhouse,

stables and a cart lodge. The grounds are

predominately meadow with wild flowers

and woodlands. There is also a private gate

and footpath to the parish church. Twenty-

four peacocks are available to buy separately.

“It’s a beautiful, ancient house to live

in,” Shelton explains, “and because of my

training and career, I’m in the fortunate

position of knowing how to restore it

properly. After my parents died, I had to

‘rediscover’ the house from within a mass of

thorns and brambles. Now it has a look I like

to call ‘chocolate-box gothic’.”

There are number of state and independent

primary and secondary schools nearby.

Braintree Station is just over 10 miles away

and Stansted Airport 14.9 miles.

Stambourne Hall has a guide price of

£1.65million through Bedfords

01284 769999

To the manor bornRestored and resplendent, Stambourne Hall is ready for the next generation

The stunning home offers two-storey living accommodation with an extensive range of refurbished outbuildings including a huge 45ft thatched barn with a staircase to the first floor

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32 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES/MORTGAGES

Located in the sought-after village

of Aythorpe Roding, about 10

miles northwest of Chelmsford,

is Crest Nicholson’s exclusive

collection of five-bedroom

executive homes – Aythorpe

Grange. The luxury development is finished

to the highest standards, comprising

attractive brickwork and timber cladding, all

set in a beautiful rural location. Prices start

at £885,000.

An Aythorpe Grange kitchen is the perfect

place for you to re-create your favourite

Bake Off masterpieces. Incorporating the

latest technologies, you’ll find a modern,

contemporary kitchen equipped with the

latest appliances for maximum energy-

efficiency and lower running costs.

Designed by Commodore Kitchens,

they are finished to a high specification

incorporating quality textured ‘Vevey Lave

Tortana’ base units with Vitro dark grey

glass. The kitchen is also fully equipped

with a range of fashionable, integrated

SMEG appliances, all of which have a good

eco-rating. This includes two mirror-fronted

electric ovens, an integrated microwave/

steam oven, integrated dishwasher and a

five-ring induction hob.

Under-cabinet LED lighting and white

stonework surfaces complete the luxurious

contemporary look, while pull-out recycling

bins are in place to ensure kitchen waste

is disposed of efficiently. A free-standing,

American-style fridge-freezer is conveniently

located within an island in the kitchen, and

is perfect for coping with family-sized food

storage.

Find out more at www.crestnicholson.com/

aythorpegrange ; 01279 216907

Have your cake and eat itThe Great British Bake Off (#GBBO) is back on our screens – and this Essex show home kitchen is ideal for ambitious bakers

City minister Harriett

Baldwin has announced

the Financial Advice

Market Review, saying

that it will “examine

how financial advice

could work better for

consumers, building

on the government's pension reforms

which have allowed people real choice and

freedom over their savings and given them

access to free and impartial guidance”.

The review could ensure that

professional mortgage advice is more

easily accessible, encouraging consumers

to make more informed decisions.

Closing the ‘advice gap’

A new review is seeking to close the

'advice gap' and ensure that more people

have access to proper financial advice.

The City minister said that the review will

consider ways to encourage people to seek

financial advice, addressing unnecessary

barriers that currently deter them.

Baldwin said: “Making sure that our

financial services sector supports working

people at every stage of their lives is a key

part of our long term plan.

“That's why we've launched a major new

review to explore what more can be done

to make sure consumers can access high

quality and affordable advice so they can

make informed decisions with their hard-

earned money.”

As well as mortgages, the review will

consider other types of retail financial

products, including pensions, savings

and insurance, and will report ahead of the

2016 Budget.

Review could 'radically change the advice

landscape’

The review will be chaired by Charles

Roxburgh, director general of financial

services at the Treasury, and Tracey

McDermott, who takes over as interim

chief of the Financial Conduct Authority in

September.

McDermott says: “Ensuring that people

have the appropriate information and

advice in order to make important financial

decisions is a priority for the FCA. Changes

in the rules around mortgages and the

introduction of the new pension freedoms

mean that more people than ever before

are looking for or are in need of financial

advice.

“The review is an opportunity to look at

how the market is working right across

the piece and has the potential to radically

change the advice landscape to the benefit

of both firms and consumers.”

As part of the government's plan to

support working people at all stages of

their lives, it also intends to consult later

this year on how the current statutory

arrangements for the provision of free and

impartial financial guidance (including the

Money Advice Service and Pension Wise)

can be made more effective.

The government has announced that it is to launch a review into making high-quality mortgage advice more accessible, says Nick Parkhouse

Government launches review to improve the quality of mortgage advice

Prestige developer CALA Homes – a

former WhatHouse? Housebuilder

of the Year and a Silver winner of

Best Medium Housebuilder at the

2014 WhatHouse? Awards – is holding an

exclusive, invitation-only VIP preview event

this weekend, where it is unveiling the new

show home at Foxwood, its new development

in the village of Little Canfield.

Foxwood will be an exclusive address,

featuring just 12 three-bedroom semi-

detached and four-bedroom detached houses.

The ‘Hatfield’ show house will be open on

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, giving

house-hunters the first opportunity to see

the specification and finish at the scheme

first-hand.

Chris Roads, sales and marketing director

for CALA Homes North Home Counties, says

interest in the development is strong, even at

this early stage: “We have already received

an exceptionally high number of enquiries

into our new homes at Foxwood and urge

those interested in viewing to register their

interest in order to attend our VIP preview

event.”

The attraction of the development is the

high reputation of the Uttlesford district in

which it sits and the way that the location

gives buyers a perfect work-life balance, says

Roads: “The homes at Foxwood are ideal for

families and downsizers looking for a low-

maintenance lifestyle in a rural location, but

with good connections to the capital, which

is only 36 miles away, as well as the local

surrounding areas.”

The ‘Hatfield’ is a four-bedroom house which

offers a contemporary open-plan layout, set

out over three floors. The property features a

fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room, a sitting

room, study and WC on the ground floor;

master bedroom with en suite bathroom, two

further bedrooms and a family bathroom on

the first floor; and another spacious bedroom

on the top floor. After the weekend, the

show home will be open to the public from

Thursday to Monday, 10.00am to 5.30pm.

Little Canfield is positioned between Great

Dunmow and Bishop’s Stortford, surrounded

by forestry land and the National Trust’s

Hatfield Forest. This ancient hunting forest

dates back to the Norman kings, is just one

mile away from the development.

The Uttlesford district frequently scores

highly in national quality-of-life surveys, not

least for the range of well-regarded schools

in the area, and its excellent transport links.

Commuters can reach Liverpool Street in

just 53 minutes from the station at Stansted

Airport, just two miles away. There’s also

easy access to the A120 and the M11.

Prices at Foxwood range from £344,950 to

£549,950.

For a VIP invitation to the launch and to

find out more, visit www.cala.co.uk;

01707 861 690

NEW HOMES WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 39

New homes launch – Foxwood, Little CanfieldCALA Homes opens the doors to a new show house this weekend

RETIREMENT WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 39

Helping hands

McCarthy & Stone, Britain’s

leading specialist developer of

private homes for retirees, is

employing a team of no fewer

than 26 local construction

workers as it shapes its new development of

apartments on Raglan Road, Frinton-on-Sea.

Victoria Gardens, which will bring 14 new

brand new flats for over-60s to the resort, is

using the expertise of many local contractors.

A fine summer has seen strong progress at

the site, which is expected to welcome its first

residents in early spring 2016.

Michael Hall, site manager at McCarthy

and Stone’s North London region, believes

that local talent is a vital factor in achieving

the companies ambitious expansion plans

for the coming years.

“The sheer importance and value of local

workforces simply cannot be underestimated

when it comes to housebuilding,” says

Hall. “I’m proud to have been able to recruit

a team of full- and part-time employees

from the local area for Victoria Gardens

in Frinton, and we are actively recruiting

skilled tradesmen in the local area as the

site progresses, including carpenters,

electricians and plumbers, to name a few.

“Each and every one of the employees,

from the construction teams laying bricks,

to the sales teams in the office, plays an

active role in turning the McCarthy and

Stone vision into a reality.”

The new two-bedroom apartments come

from the company’s Platinum Range, where

the specification has been raised to include

underfloor heating, oak-veneered doors

and fully-fitted kitchens with integrated

appliances. Each property also has a number

of emergency call points. The properties are

located just moments from Frinton’s seafront.

Local talent is creating new retirement property in Frinton-on-Sea

Residents also get the benefits of

communal facilities such as some delightful

landscaped gardens and a club lounge,

which acts as the social hub of the entire

scheme, where neighbours can meet each

other, and friends and family. There’s also

a concierge, who can help residents with

errands and ensure the smooth running of

the development.

Elaine Stratford, sales and marketing

director for McCarthy and Stone North

London region, adds: “As the only

housebuilder to have achieved the coveted

Housebuilding Federation’s (HBF) five

star status for the tenth year in a row – a

customer satisfaction award which is scored

independently by our own customers – we

are confident that by investing in high

quality local talent and skilled tradesmen,

we will continue to deliver stunning

developments which other developers

can hold up as an example of the kind of

accommodation that our older generations

truly deserve.”

Find out more at

www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk

0800 201 4811

The sheer importance and value of local workforces simply cannot be underestimated when it comes to housebuilding

VIRIDIUMCamberley, Surrey

Luxury collection of 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments.

To book an appointment

call: 01276 66693

*Available with Help to Buy subject to terms and conditions

• Award winning development 2015 FTB awards

• Gated entrance with parking

• Stunning spacious apartments with Balcony or terrace

• Carpets included

• Luxury fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms

• Help to Buy available

JUST 5%DEPOSIT*

HODSONDEVELOPMENTS

Prices from

£285,000

your property, our business

01252 356000

Why choose ELM Group?• Higher sales & rental values achieved with our outstanding

property management service

• We advise & assist with RTM & self-enfranchisement setup for our clients

• We offer bespoke leasehold property management to our clients

• Advisory head-lease setup service for developers

• ELM Group are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Homes & Communities Agency

• Two months FREE property management fees on a minimum fixed one year contract

We are proud to present our partner for sales & lettings in the South East of England www.martinco.com

www.elmgroup.org.ukenquiries@elmgroup.org.uk

Ethical  Leasehold  Management  –    leading  the  way  in    leasehold  property  management     Ethical Leasehold Management – leading the way in leasehold property management

INTERIORS WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 35

Shabby chic is a style that

we Brits are extremely

good at. The faded fl orals,

dusty velvets and peeling

paintwork that epitomise

this look is something

that we seem to have an

affi nity for.

Getting shabby chic right, when it has to

appear effortless, is not as easy as you might

think. After all this is not about antiques,

it’s about interiors and accessories that look

old or worn yet with a touch of informal

elegance. Faded pretty country fl orals, rustic

charm and an appreciation of imperfections

(as long as they have style) add to the

attractiveness of this fl ea market vogue.

ComfortBig sloppy armchairs and sofas in distressed

leather or chintzy washable slipcovers are

just the ticket to fl op out in after a hard

day’s work. The key here is informality and

comfort, where the odd dog hair or feet on

the sofa will not cause undue alarm.

ColourThe colours associated with shabby chic

are deliciously soft hues such as mint,

aqua, dusty rose, biscuit, sand, ivory,

cream, pistachio, sky blues and pale greys.

These can be offset by crisp white, which

accentuates them beautifully. Mix and match

these colours as they all complement each

other superbly. Silver is a wonderful shade

that can be used to add sparkle particularly

in accessories, from photograph frames to

ornaments.

FurnitureWhile precious antiques are not part of

shabby chic, good design, form and style

are defi nitely important. So attractively

shaped vintage furniture discoveries, with

distressed paint fi nishes, fi t the bill perfectly.

It is pre-loved individuality that you are

seeking rather than conformity. The great

thing about shabby chic style is that it is

ideal for anyone on a tight budget. So a plain

piece of furniture can be transformed with a

peeling paint effect or colour washes.

AccessoriesSmell, believe it or not, has a role to play

in shabby chic, so fl ower arrangements are

ideal, as are scented candles - choose ones

with notes of rose, lavender and amber.

Put the fl owers in your best vase and let

the aromas of the candles fi ll your home

and contribute to making it a warm and

welcoming place.

“Aged but not old” sums up the increasingly popular interior style of “shabby chic”. Richenda Oldham shows how to achieve the look

Distress to impress

Pretty fl oral fabrics and pastel coloured china, have been combined here with distressed painted wooden furniture for an informal but utterly charming look, www.directblinds.co.uk

Soft ivory and biscuit hues form part of the Shabby Chic palette and are used here with faded fl orals to create an alluring, romantic bedroom, that is both simple yet charismatic, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

With its subtle leopard print rug, antlers and painted bureau, this room has a touch of the colonial about it, www.kelaty.com

This white distressed mirror would make a marvellous centrepiece in a Shabby Chic interior, £95, www.livelaughlove.co.uk

Pretty vintage cups and saucers have been used as tea light holders in this appealing teatime table setting, striped tablecloth £40, www.ochreandochre.com

ELEGANCE & ARTISTRY

*Price correct at time of going to press. Computer generated image of Barts Square.

CRAFTED RESIDENCES IN HISTORIC SMITHFIELD, EC1

PRICES FROM £815,000*

020 7726 8995 | BARTSSQUARE.COM

0661 BartsResi_ad_WH_FP_01June_ART.indd 1 27/05/2015 17:55

INTERIORS WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 33

Oh, sit down!D&D’s essential guide to some of today’s most stylish chair designsDiscover&Deliver (www.discoverdeliver.com )

is a luxury lifestyle boutique dedicated to

fi nding and researching the most beautiful,

interesting and sought-after furniture,

lighting & accessories, as seen in global

design destinations.

Founders Isabel Rutland and Stephanie

Mähl began by reviewing the best-designed

hotels and restaurants around the world,

many by prize-winning architects and

leading interior designers.

They call it their “voyage of pure

discovery”, uncovering furniture, lighting

and design-objects by the most skilled of

craftsmen.

Here, Isabel and Stephanie pick fi ve sleek

chairs whose designers have revolutionised

the world of product design. “These pieces

are one of the things that makes mankind

magnifi cent!” they say...

Diz Chair designed by Sérgio Rodrigues made by LinBrasil, as seen in Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro. Prices start from £2,383.

Acapulco Chair designed by OK Design, as seen in the W Barcelona. Prices start from £315.

Lehnstuhl designed by Nigel Coates, made by GTV. Prices start from £1,371.

Flag Halyard Chair designed by Hans J Wegner, made by PP Møbler, as seen in Hotel Fasano São Paulo. Prices start from £5,542.

All prices exclude VAT and delivery from Discover&Deliver.

EJ5 Corona Chair designed by Poul M Volther, made by Erik Jørgensen. Prices start from £2,703.

INTERIORS WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM | 33

You spin me roundFood preparation has never been so much fun – or so fast – thanks to the latest mixers and blenders. Richenda Oldham gets a slice of the action

Sleek and glossy is the best way to describe the Bugatti Vela Food blender. It features a four-speed control and pulse function that is perfect for blending anything from soups and shakes to cocktails and smoothies, £170, www.redcandy.co.uk

The kMix from Kenwood makes baking a piece of cake with its 4.6 litre bowl and special fold function. It even stops automatically when the head is lifted, £399.99, www.amara.com

If you want a professional high performance machine then take

a look at the Herakles 8G-R. This powerful stand mixer will crush

anything from fruit ‘n’ veg to ice fast at the touch of a button,

£184.06, www.klarstein.com

The Russell Hobbs 14012 ‘Essentials’ is a simple to use lightweight jug blender with a useful pulse function to help you break down big chunks of food, £19.99, www.argos.co.uk

For a nostalgic look that is backed up by 21st-century precision, then the BLF01PBEU is a Fifties-style retro model, shown here in pastel blue, which has four speeds and three preset programmes,£146.37, www.smeg.com

On the doorstep of the local beauty spot Langdon

Hills Country Park, with its panoramic views over

the Thames Estuary and across to London, more

than half of the homes at Arcadia are already sold,

with new releases just announced.

Families, retirees and young professionals are

being wooed by the select range of just 98 three-,

four- and five-bedroom character homes with

landscaped gardens and plenty of parking.

Laindon station, with trains to Fenchurch Street every 15 minutes,

is a major plus for commuters and retail therapy is on hand at

Basildon’s popular Eastgate Shopping Centre, just a 10-minute drive

away. Southend-on-Sea is only a short drive away and golf clubs

and a range of sporting amenities are also close by, so keeping fit is

definitely an option for new residents.

The latest release at Arcadia is ‘The Willerby’, a five-bedroom

double-fronted detached home reminiscent of a prime London villa,

set across three floors. Spacious living accommodation on the ground

floor includes a stylish contemporary kitchen

with a convenient separate utility room,

lounge with French doors leading to the

rear garden, study and dining room off the

kitchen.

The first floor has three double bedrooms,

including the master bedroom with its ‘must-

have’ dressing area with built-in wardrobes

and en suite. Two further double bedrooms

and a family bathroom are found on the

top floor with far reaching views from the

picturesque attic-style windows.

Priced at £499,995, ‘The Willerby’ comes

with a sought-after double garage plus an

impressive six parking spaces – ideal for

families with teenage drivers and ample

room for when friends and family visit.

‘The Osterley’, a three-bedroom detached

house priced at £307,995 will be available

soon closely followed by two three-bedroom

semi-detached homes, ‘The Studland’ and

‘The Chastleton’ townhouse.

Specifications for all homes at Arcadia are

high with a choice of kitchen units, worktops

and tiling for those buyers reserving early

in the construction stages. Arcadia is open

daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm,

Find out more at www.bloorhomes.com01268 857834

Buyers are giving the thumbs up to Arcadia the new Bloor Homes development in Laindon on the outskirts of Basildon

Work, rest and play

28 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES

Electrolux Group: Industry Leaders in Household Durables for eight consecutive years.

Electrolux has retained its position as Industry Leader in the Household Durables category for the eighth consecutive year in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

Electrolux is the only company in the Household Durables category to qualify for Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World, and has been included in DJSI every year since the index was launched in 1999.

For more information, go to www.sustainability-indices.com

Sustainability is an integral part of the Electrolux Group’s strategy, and we are therefore especially proud to have achieved the highest score of the Household Durables category for our efforts in the environmental area.

Henrik SundströmHead of Sustainability Affairs at Electrolux.

‘‘

‘‘

38 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES

COVER STORY: use this Molly Mutt dog bed duvet to cover an old dog bed or fill it with redundant pillows to make a smart new bed for your pooch, £16.99, www.easyanimal.co.uk

King’sTime is running out to buy a high-quality new Redrow home in Lexden

Since its offi cial launch in

January, sales have been brisk

at Redrow’s King’s Park, a

development of 31 homes in

the village of Lexden, just west

of Colchester. Now, just seven

homes remain for sale – fi ve houses and two

apartments – so opportunities to buy a peach

of a home at the site are now limited.

With prices ranging from £278,995 to

£674,995, there’s plenty of variety, however,

which is bound to interest a diverse range of

buyers, says Kerry Jenkins, sales director

for Redrow Homes (Eastern).

“King’s Park continues to attract a good

mix of purchasers ranging from fi rst-time

buyers to growing families, downsizers and

everything in between,” she says. “They

all recognise that the development offers a

winning combination of high-specifi cation

homes in a sought-after village location with

good local amenities and strong commuter

links. These factors have helped make King’s

Park a success and now that availability

is limited we’re encouraging would-be

homeowners to contact us without delay.”

With everything from a two-bedroom

apartment to three- and four-bedroom

homes available, there are also two crucial

assistance schemes on offer from Redrow.

The Help to Buy scheme is open to all

buyers on properties under £600,000,

offering the chance to buy with a 5% deposit

thanks to a government-backed equity loan

of 20% of the property price. This means

a lower initial payment and then lower

monthly mortgage payments, as the loan is

interest-free for fi ve years.

For homeowners struggling to sell their

existing property – or simply wanting

to avoid the hassle of selling on the open

market – a part exchange might be the

answer. With this, the housebuilder makes

on offer based on an independent valuation,

which if accepted, eliminates a buying chain

and allows you to stay in your old home

until your new one is ready. Alternatively,

Redrow’s Mastermove option means they’ll

work with local agents to fi nd a buyer for you

– and pay their fees, so you won’t have to.

“Whether you’re an aspiring fi rst time

buyer or a homeowner looking to move up

the property ladder we can help make your

dream move a reality,” adds Jenkins.

The show homes and sales offi ce at King’s

Park are open from 10.00am to 5.30pm,

Thursday to Monday.

Find out more at http://whathou.se/NoUIhJ

01206 430241

peach

38 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM ACCESSORIES

A hound night’s sleepRichenda Oldham goes in search of canine comfort and fi nds there are some seriously luxurious beds out there for discerning dogs...

If you were to spend around 12-14

hours each day sleeping, you’d

make sure you chose a comfortable

bed, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s how

long dogs spend actually asleep. For

30% of the day they are awake, but

inactive, which leaves just 20% to run

around and exercise.

So it makes sense to improve the quality

of a dog’s life by providing them with the

best possible bed, based on the simple (but

commonsense) principles of warmth and

softness.

There are an unbelievable number of

different types of dog bed on the market,

from pads and mattresses to solid foam ‘nest’

style beds or even sofas, so it’s a good idea to

evaluate your dog and his needs fi rst before

going shopping. Even if your dog is allowed

to share your chairs and bed, there will be

times when you won’t want him to, but if he

has a great bed of his own, he might actually

prefer to sleep there...

A simple checklist could be:

• Breed

• Size

• Age

• Habits

CLEANLINESSUnless you are prepared to buy a new dog

bed every time your pet’s bed becomes too

dirty and smelly to bear, then washability

has to be top of a list of must-have dog bed

features. It’s also important to control fl eas

by keeping the bed clean.

Check to see whether a dog bed is machine

washable, or at the very least if its cover can

be washed.

DESIGNIt’s important that you choose a style that

suits your dog. It’s not just a simple case

of big bed for big dog and small bed for

small dog. Some dogs like to curl up tight

in round beds with raised ‘doughnut’ sides,

which makes them feel secure, while others

like to stretch out, in which case a mattress

or pillow design is a better choice. Other

dogs like to sleep under a blanket, in which

case a ‘cave’ bed

(with a cover that is already attached) is

ideal as it allows the dog to burrow beneath

the cover.

For old dogs with stiff joints, a well-

padded bed that is easy to climb in and out

of is essential, while for a dog that feels the

cold, a raised bed (off the fl oor and out of

draughts) with high sides, will help keep it

warm.

For anyone tempted by a ‘designer’ sofa

style bed, which will generally have a solid

frame, covered in either leather, or fabric,

make sure that your dog isn’t a serial

chewer. The same applies to rattan beds,

which are irresistible to some dogs.

LADY IN RED: beechwood frame dog lounger, ideal for smaller breeds such as terriers, spaniels, pugs

or poodles, £229, www.inspaces.com

FURRY FRIEND: what dog could resist snuggling up on

this luxurious faux Silver Fox fur dog bed? Fofo bed by

Sasha & Me, £129.99, thepetbusiness.co.uk

COVER STORY: use this Molly Mutt dog bed duvet to cover an old dog bed or fill it with redundant pillows to make a smart new bed for your pooch, £16.99, www.easyanimal.co.uk

COUNTRY CLASSIC:

Harris Tweed and leather basket

on wooden bun feet, available in a choice

of colours, £295, www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

SNUG AS A BUG: for dogs who love to sleep under a cover then a bed with a cosy pocket

to burrow under is ideal, Charley Chau snuggle bed, £65, www.charleychau.com

BASKETWEAVE:

this smart Charley Chau

raised dog bed is hand made

in greywashed rattan and

demonstrates that it’s possible

to combine canine comfort with

trend setting design, £210,

www.charleychau.com

38 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM ACCESSORIES

A hound night’s sleepRichenda Oldham goes in search of canine comfort and fi nds there are some seriously luxurious beds out there for discerning dogs...

If you were to spend around 12-14

hours each day sleeping, you’d

make sure you chose a comfortable

bed, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s how

long dogs spend actually asleep. For

30% of the day they are awake, but

inactive, which leaves just 20% to run

around and exercise.

So it makes sense to improve the quality

of a dog’s life by providing them with the

best possible bed, based on the simple (but

commonsense) principles of warmth and

softness.

There are an unbelievable number of

different types of dog bed on the market,

from pads and mattresses to solid foam ‘nest’

style beds or even sofas, so it’s a good idea to

evaluate your dog and his needs fi rst before

going shopping. Even if your dog is allowed

to share your chairs and bed, there will be

times when you won’t want him to, but if he

has a great bed of his own, he might actually

prefer to sleep there...

A simple checklist could be:

• Breed

• Size

• Age

• Habits

CLEANLINESSUnless you are prepared to buy a new dog

bed every time your pet’s bed becomes too

dirty and smelly to bear, then washability

has to be top of a list of must-have dog bed

features. It’s also important to control fl eas

by keeping the bed clean.

Check to see whether a dog bed is machine

washable, or at the very least if its cover can

be washed.

DESIGNIt’s important that you choose a style that

suits your dog. It’s not just a simple case

of big bed for big dog and small bed for

small dog. Some dogs like to curl up tight

in round beds with raised ‘doughnut’ sides,

which makes them feel secure, while others

like to stretch out, in which case a mattress

or pillow design is a better choice. Other

dogs like to sleep under a blanket, in which

case a ‘cave’ bed

(with a cover that is already attached) is

ideal as it allows the dog to burrow beneath

the cover.

For old dogs with stiff joints, a well-

padded bed that is easy to climb in and out

of is essential, while for a dog that feels the

cold, a raised bed (off the fl oor and out of

draughts) with high sides, will help keep it

warm.

For anyone tempted by a ‘designer’ sofa

style bed, which will generally have a solid

frame, covered in either leather, or fabric,

make sure that your dog isn’t a serial

chewer. The same applies to rattan beds,

which are irresistible to some dogs.

LADY IN RED: beechwood frame dog lounger, ideal for smaller breeds such as terriers, spaniels, pugs

or poodles, £229, www.inspaces.com

FURRY FRIEND: what dog could resist snuggling up on

this luxurious faux Silver Fox fur dog bed? Fofo bed by

Sasha & Me, £129.99, thepetbusiness.co.uk

COVER STORY: use this Molly Mutt dog bed duvet to cover an old dog bed or fill it with redundant pillows to make a smart new bed for your pooch, £16.99, www.easyanimal.co.uk

COUNTRY CLASSIC:

Harris Tweed and leather basket

on wooden bun feet, available in a choice

of colours, £295, www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

SNUG AS A BUG: for dogs who love to sleep under a cover then a bed with a cosy pocket

to burrow under is ideal, Charley Chau snuggle bed, £65, www.charleychau.com

BASKETWEAVE:

this smart Charley Chau

raised dog bed is hand made

in greywashed rattan and

demonstrates that it’s possible

to combine canine comfort with

trend setting design, £210,

www.charleychau.com

32 | WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM NEW HOMES/MORTGAGES

Located in the sought-after village

of Aythorpe Roding, about 10

miles northwest of Chelmsford,

is Crest Nicholson’s exclusive

collection of five-bedroom

executive homes – Aythorpe

Grange. The luxury development is finished

to the highest standards, comprising

attractive brickwork and timber cladding, all

set in a beautiful rural location. Prices start

at £885,000.

An Aythorpe Grange kitchen is the perfect

place for you to re-create your favourite

Bake Off masterpieces. Incorporating the

latest technologies, you’ll find a modern,

contemporary kitchen equipped with the

latest appliances for maximum energy-

efficiency and lower running costs.

Designed by Commodore Kitchens,

they are finished to a high specification

incorporating quality textured ‘Vevey Lave

Tortana’ base units with Vitro dark grey

glass. The kitchen is also fully equipped

with a range of fashionable, integrated

SMEG appliances, all of which have a good

eco-rating. This includes two mirror-fronted

electric ovens, an integrated microwave/

steam oven, integrated dishwasher and a

five-ring induction hob.

Under-cabinet LED lighting and white

stonework surfaces complete the luxurious

contemporary look, while pull-out recycling

bins are in place to ensure kitchen waste

is disposed of efficiently. A free-standing,

American-style fridge-freezer is conveniently

located within an island in the kitchen, and

is perfect for coping with family-sized food

storage.

Find out more at www.crestnicholson.com/

aythorpegrange ; 01279 216907

Have your cake and eat itThe Great British Bake Off (#GBBO) is back on our screens – and this Essex show home kitchen is ideal for ambitious bakers

City minister Harriett

Baldwin has announced

the Financial Advice

Market Review, saying

that it will “examine

how financial advice

could work better for

consumers, building

on the government's pension reforms

which have allowed people real choice and

freedom over their savings and given them

access to free and impartial guidance”.

The review could ensure that

professional mortgage advice is more

easily accessible, encouraging consumers

to make more informed decisions.

Closing the ‘advice gap’

A new review is seeking to close the

'advice gap' and ensure that more people

have access to proper financial advice.

The City minister said that the review will

consider ways to encourage people to seek

financial advice, addressing unnecessary

barriers that currently deter them.

Baldwin said: “Making sure that our

financial services sector supports working

people at every stage of their lives is a key

part of our long term plan.

“That's why we've launched a major new

review to explore what more can be done

to make sure consumers can access high

quality and affordable advice so they can

make informed decisions with their hard-

earned money.”

As well as mortgages, the review will

consider other types of retail financial

products, including pensions, savings

and insurance, and will report ahead of the

2016 Budget.

Review could 'radically change the advice

landscape’

The review will be chaired by Charles

Roxburgh, director general of financial

services at the Treasury, and Tracey

McDermott, who takes over as interim

chief of the Financial Conduct Authority in

September.

McDermott says: “Ensuring that people

have the appropriate information and

advice in order to make important financial

decisions is a priority for the FCA. Changes

in the rules around mortgages and the

introduction of the new pension freedoms

mean that more people than ever before

are looking for or are in need of financial

advice.

“The review is an opportunity to look at

how the market is working right across

the piece and has the potential to radically

change the advice landscape to the benefit

of both firms and consumers.”

As part of the government's plan to

support working people at all stages of

their lives, it also intends to consult later

this year on how the current statutory

arrangements for the provision of free and

impartial financial guidance (including the

Money Advice Service and Pension Wise)

can be made more effective.

The government has announced that it is to launch a review into making high-quality mortgage advice more accessible, says Nick Parkhouse

Government launches review to improve the quality of mortgage advice

Found a house you love?

We’ll find you the perfect mortgage to match.

Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is a registered company in England & Wales under company number 06334944. Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Home Counties Mortgage Protection and Finance Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. There may be occasions where we may charge a fee which will depend on your circumstances. In these situations we will inform you at an early stage, the fee typically being no more that 1% of the total loan amount.YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED UPON IT. The actual premium for protection products will depend upon individual circumstances. Please ask us for a specific customer illustration be contacting us by completing our enquiry form or telephone the office directly. *The above mentioned products are not regulated by the FCA and accordingly the protection normally afforded does not apply.

whathouse.com/mortgages

We specialise in all types of mortgages including:

• New Home purchases• First time buyers• Remortgaging• House Moves

• Self employed• Landlords• Buy to Let• Specialised bespoke options

WWW.WHATHOUSE.COM MORTGAGES

If you’re thinking of taking

advantage of record low interest

rates you generally have the

choice of two types of deal: a

fixed rate or a variable rate.

Over recent months the costs

of both types of product have

fallen sharply - but what deals

currently represent the best

value?

Six months ago, if you had

wanted to choose the very

cheapest mortgage rate the chances are

that you would have picked a variable-

rate deal. At that time, variable deals were

0.28% cheaper than fixed rates with the

lowest 60% loan-to-value variable rate being

1.09%, compared to the best fixed-rate deal

at 1.37%.

Now, while the cost of both types of deal

has reached a record low, the difference

in price between the two types of deal has

shrunk and variable deals may not now

offer the lowest rates. In many cases, a fixed

rate product is now cheaper than a variable

alternative, meaning you will not only

benefit from the security of a fixed-rate deal

but also lower repayments.

“A variable-rate tracker mortgage can

no longer be considered the best way

to ensure lower monthly repayments,”

says Charlotte Nelson, finance expert at

Moneyfacts, the analysts who carried out

the research. In addition, with the Bank of

England suggesting that an interest rate

rise is on the way the gap between the cost

of the deals could increase. “Borrowers

on a variable rate will certainly notice a

difference in their monthly repayments

when the inevitable happens and base rate

rises,” she adds.

Calculations from the financial analyst

show that the average borrower chose the

lowest 60% variable-rate product today it

would cost £442 a year more than the lowest

two-year fixed rate if the base rate goes up

by just 0.5%.

As well as offering low repayments,

fixed rates also give you the security that

you know exactly what your mortgage

payments will be for a set period of time.

In previous years you have generally had

to pay a premium for that security but now

you can benefit from not only peace of mind

but also a better deal.

Ms Nelson advises that anyone

considering taking out a new mortgage

deal should move fast. She says: “These

highly competitive fixed-rate mortgages

will only be on the market for so long and

once they’re gone, they’re gone. Mortgage

holders therefore need to act fast to secure

the best deals while they have the chance.”

Are fixed deals the cheapest in the market this summer, or variable? asks Nick Parkhouse

Revealed: the cheapest type of mortgage deal

Found a house you love?

We’ll find you the perfect mortgage to match.

Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is a registered company in England & Wales under company number 06334944. Prolific Mortgage Finance Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Home Counties Mortgage Protection and Finance Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. There may be occasions where we may charge a fee which will depend on your circumstances. In these situations we will inform you at an early stage, the fee typically being no more that 1% of the total loan amount.YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED UPON IT. The actual premium for protection products will depend upon individual circumstances. Please ask us for a specific customer illustration be contacting us by completing our enquiry form or telephone the office directly. *The above mentioned products are not regulated by the FCA and accordingly the protection normally afforded does not apply.

whathouse.com/mortgages

We specialise in all types of mortgages including:

• New Home purchases• First time buyers• Remortgaging• House Moves

• Self employed• Landlords• Buy to Let• Specialised bespoke options

01237 459 998 | Grenville Wharf, 6a The Quay, Bideford EX39 2HW

morrisandbott.co.uk

Take the first step today and find out how we can make your property a success.

01237 426 712

Unlock your holiday home’s potential

Bideford - North Devon

£735,000

5 | 4 | 3 • Stunning elevated position• 5 Bedrooms / 3 en-suite• 3 Reception rooms• Breathtaking river views

• Long private gated drive• 2.6 Acres• Detached one bed. annexe• EPC E

For full details, or to view more of our portfolio, visit our website

Morris and Bott - HC - What House.indd 1 29/04/2015 15:08

We’re open for business, whatever the climate.

For the last 40 years, through all market conditions, we’ve consistently lent to residential property developers. So if you’re looking for funds, you won’t find a more experienced, flexible and reliable business partner.

To find out how we can help your development, please call Close Brothers Property Finance on 020 7655 3655 or visit closepropertyfinance.com

Close Brothers I Modern Merchant Banking

C54427 CBPF_EG_Blue_297x210.indd 1 23/04/2015 11:38